The Missouri Court of Appeal Western District has upheld the sentence of a former Eldon man spending 25 years in prison for domestic abuse.

The appeal was filed by Eddie Alton Boyd, who was convicted nearly two years following a jury trial in Miller County.

The 25-year sentence was imposed by Circuit Judge Ken Oswald in July 2011.

Boyd was found guilty of domestic assault stemming from a charge filed by Miller County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Howard.

The domestic violence incident in February, 2010 left Boyd’s wife with broken ribs, bruises and contusions still evident two weeks after the assault, when the victim finally went to a local hospital.

The appellate court’s ruling upholding the sentence means that the panel of reviewing judges unanimously agreed to deny the appeal without issuing any formal opinion.

Howard said in criminal cases a Per Curiam order indicates that no real question as to sufficiency of evidence or significant legal issues were found to exist.

Howard said he was pleased that the Court of Appeals had clearly agreed with the prosecution of the case, considering the serious scrutiny typically given in cases where such a significant sentence is handed down.

Howard said his office recommended the lengthy sentence due to both the nature of the crime and the defendant’s criminal record. Missouri law will require Boyd to remain incarcerated in the Department of Corrections without chance of parole until he at least reaches age seventy. Boyd is now 53 years old.